Randolph  County,  Indiana

Jonathan  Johnson


            To his own efforts is the success of Jonathan C. Johnson attributable, for he started out upon his life work practically without capital or aid from anyone, but being ambitious and industrious he forged ahead and is today owner of a good farm near the city of Winchester. This too, is the visible evidence of his prosperity and industry, for when it came into his possession it was only partly improved and not nearly so productive as it is at this writing. Such a man deserves the high regard in which he is held by his neighbors.
            Mr. Johnson was born in White River township, Randolph county, and here he has been contented to remain. He is a son of  Joshua M. and Amanda C. (Pegg) Johnson and a brother of  John I. Johnson whose sketch appears in another part of this book.
            Our subject was reared on the home farm and there he assisted with the general work when a boy, attending in the meantime the district schools. He remained with his parents until his marriage which took place June 11, 1894 to Elma Allen, a daughter of  Joseph G. and Phoebe J. (Dennis) Allen, an old family of Randolph county, both her parents being now deceased. Here she grew up and was educated.
            To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson three daughters have been born, namely: Thelma, born September 21, 1897; Irene, born October 29, 1898; Marjorie, born May 13, 1910.
            For about five years after his marriage Mr. Johnson continued farming, thereby getting a good start in life, for he worked hard and managed well. In the fall of 1899 he moved to Modoc, Randolph county, and engaged in the dry goods business which he continued for a period of seven years, during which he enjoyed a large trade with the surrounding country. He carried a good stock and his honesty and courtesy with everyone won him many customers. In the fall of 1906 he went to Corpus Christi, Nueces county, Texas and engaged in the real estate business, handling both farm lands and city property, in which he was very successful and was a very extensive dealer, building up a large and lucrative business. He remained in Texas until May, 1909, when he returned to Randolph county and purchased a farm of J. W. Jarnagin, a fine farm one mile south of Winchester, containing one hundred and one-half acres, constituting one of the most desirable and productive farms in Randolph county. It has changed hands only six times since it was entered from the government, all of those transfer deeds now being in the hands of Mr. Johnson. Jonathan Edwards entered the land from the government. The present owner has added many modern improvements and brought it up to a high state of cultivation. On it stand an attractive and pleasant residence and numerous convenient outbuildings. In connection with general farming and stock raising, Mr. Johnson is also engaged successfully in buying and selling Randolph county farms, and has made many important deals in local property since his return from Texas. One of the finest apple orchards in the county is on the farm he now owns and where he now lives.
            Politically, Mr. Johnson is a Republican and since reaching manhood he has been actively interested in public affairs but he has never been an office seeker. He is a member of the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias. His wife belongs to the Presbyterian church as do also the children, and while not a member, Mr. Johnson attends and supports this church. The family moves in the best circles in the county-seat and vicinity.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson

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